Mastering Brush Roman Capitals by John Stevens

Content Highlights

• Practical brush lettering guide based on John Stevens’ workshop teachings
• Step-by-step instruction leading to classic Trajan Capitals written with a broad brush

Techniques & Tools

• Learn the flat brush and how it contrasts with the pen
• How to prepare, hold, and load your brush
• Understand brush dynamics: movement, angle changes, curves, and turns

Alphabet Progression

• Neulandish: bold, angular sans-serif alphabet for foundational brush skills
• Block Letter: rounded capital form without serifs to build technique
• Trajan Capitals: 52 pages of detailed instruction
• Includes full-page, actual-size exemplars
• Each letter shown in multiple colors to highlight individual strokes

Advanced Practice

• Chapters on forming words and creating projects
• Examples of practice exercises
• Gallery of John Stevens’ inspirational brush lettering works

Mastering Brush Roman Capitals by John Stevens. 160pp. 8.5"x11". Hardcover with concealed spiral binding.

In this practical book, John Stevens shares his brush knowledge and provides exercises developed and refined over many years of teaching his brush-lettering workshops. The progressive instruction leads to classic Trajan Capitals written with a broad brush—and beyond. You learn about the flat brush and how it contrasts with the pen. You learn how to prepare, hold, and load your brush. And as you make your first strokes, you learn brush dynamics: how the brush moves and how to change angles and make curves and other turns. 

John then starts you with a bold, angular sans-serif alphabet, “Neulandish.” Through its basic strokes and joins, you gain brush skills and explore texture and rhythm. Next, with Block Letter, a rounded capital form also without serifs, you build your brush technique. And then you move to extensive instruction for the majestic Trajan letterforms, spanning 52 pages and including John’s full-page, actual-size exemplars—with each letter written in multiple colors to clearly show its individual strokes. Additional chapters take your letters into words and then into projects. Throughout, John shows examples of practice exercises and presents a gallery of his incredible, inspirational works.